What is in the chickens poop? Bugs? **Photos** graphic

[krissteff]

Quote:
I buy it at my local feed store. I think Tractor Supply has it, or any local co-op should have it. Make sure you get the "food grade" DE. I believe the reason is that it's safe for animals? I am not sure of the reasoning anymore. I periodically sprinkle it around the coop and run, and I sprinkle it where my birds dust bathe so they will get it all over them and ward off any mites or lice.
I guess that would be like "dusting" them? What are y'all using to dust the birds with?

 

[cluckity bucket]

I have been noticing similar critters in my chickens' poop. Our bugs are fairly big (bigger than mites or lice), pale gray, with lots of wiggly legs. They seem to be breaking the poop down into fibrous material. I can't find any bugs on my chickens themselves.

Does anybody know what these are?

 

[Disco]

Just found the same bugs and same looking poop in my coop! What are these things?

 

[bachelor]

I just found these bugs too. Anybody know what to do? Are they just poop bugs? Were you able to get rid of them? What did you do? I got some new chicks that I'm about to add to the flock and I don't want them getting ill.

Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I just found these bugs too. Anybody know what to do? Are they just poop bugs? Were you able to get rid of them? What did you do? I got some new chicks that I'm about to add to the flock and I don't want them getting ill.

Thanks!

Can you post some photos of the bugs?
Not sure what those bugs are that were posted originally.
If you are seeing similar, then the poop needs to be cleaned out of the coop/housing more frequently.

 

[bachelor]

Admittedly I should have cleaned out the poop tray sooner. I got that!

The problem I have now is that all my layers are "gone" (I had to make room for my new chicks). While cleaning out the coop I noticed these bugs. They were just in the droppings. They got heaps of legs... theres like 3-4 in this picture. The poop seems heavier than normal with more moisture in it. Since those chickens are "gone" I cant just go and inspect their next movement. I'm just trying to figure out if these little buggers are parasites or just bugs that like poop.

Thanks for the help

 

[Sue Gremlin]

Can't really tell, but I would guess that they are environmental and not living on the birds.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

AH, I see now. Those look like dermestid beetles. Not a parasite, but they will eat wool and dead things. I wouldn't worry or consider them to be a problem, I'd just clean the poop out, they're apparently enjoying it!

 

[bachelor]

Sue, that's it!
After looking up the beetle picks those are definitely the larvae of them beetles.
Thank you so much.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Admittedly I should have cleaned out the poop tray sooner. I got that!

The problem I have now is that all my layers are "gone" (I had to make room for my new chicks). While cleaning out the coop I noticed these bugs. They were just in the droppings. They got heaps of legs... theres like 3-4 in this picture. The poop seems heavier than normal with more moisture in it. Since those chickens are "gone" I cant just go and inspect their next movement. I'm just trying to figure out if these little buggers are parasites or just bugs that like poop.

Thanks for the help

Thanks for the photo!
Yep, I would just clean the poop out more frequently